How to - make a playing card notebook, cover picture frames, decorate cups, cover lampshades and make a tshirt bag.

I love it when you can re-use or re-purpose something.
I hate throwing stuff away!
At the moment I'm doing a bit of de-cluttering and de-stashing, but maybe I could do some re-purposing instead!

I could make some notebooks with the pile of paper I'm trying to free myself of plus some unused playing cards.

by handmedowndesigns

I could also use some of the wrapping/decoupage parers/old maps etc etc to wrap some picture frames like these -

by AlissaBYoung

I'm loving these spectacular decorated cups.
I found them on pinterest.

found on The Berry blog

What you do is draw on a white china cup then put in the oven and heat to 180 degrees celsius for 30 mins. That should be long enough to heat set the ink so that it doesn't wash off.
I have got a whole swag of coloured Sharpies - could be fun!
Maybe I should start with a simpler design though....


This is really novel!
Cover a plain white lampshade with old (or not so old) tights/pantyhose!

found at vintage revival

And while on the subject of re-purposed clothing - here is a great use for old tshirts!

from Bluebird Sews

Make some shopping bags.
It's a really simple idea and there are many tutes on this but this one by Bluebird Sews had nice photos!
I also saw some that had a rounded neck bit - the choice is yours.

Have a great crafty week : )

Five Fabulous Friday Finds

I feel that I am always posting the same sort of things in my Friday Faves.

I have a penchant for rings, coin purses, photographs and quirky art - that's all!

I love the simplicity of these diamond stacking rings - would love to have all three of them! (The link goes to a listing for the bottom ring only).
Hey! I can dream - right?!

white diamond stacking ring by LexLuxe

Continuing my love of sweet little zip pouches - I have to severely restrain myself from buying every zip pouch/coin purse that I see!
I could easily pocket all of these -

fabric purse by WhimsiesbySusanJames

I'm a bit the same way about notebooks - you can never have too many can you?
This one has adorable original artwork on - reminds me of children's stories, or nursery rhymes.

notebook by NeskeGraphic

The next find fills my addiction to both dreamy photography and cushions!
I would need to buy some more chairs if I bought more cushions - but I can dream!
I admit that I saw these over on Red Parka - thanks Jen for sharing!

You really should go and check out this shop - it has many beautiful applications of her photographs -

pillow by andrekart

.....and now for something completely different!
From my lovely on-line friend Deb of Two Cheeky Monkeys - a range of eye-popping neon necklaces.
Wow!

pink neon pearl necklace by Two Cheeky Monkeys

I promise next week I will break away from my "usual" picks and find some mad, unusual stuff!.....off I go to search....

Have a great weekend!

Friday faves

indigo dream photo set by LupenGrainne

Feeling a bit low-key today, so here are some soothing finds from my faves on etsy.

french foliage notebook by Made by Rori

silver ring with iolite by JuliansModernJewelry

ceramic plate by karanote

asymmetric cardigan by Rebeccas Art Closet

Please leave a thoughtful comment if you would like to enter this week's giveaway.
You can leave a comment on any of my posts.

There are more blogtoberfest giveaways happening over on Ms Curlypops blog.

Want to find out what blogtoberfest is all about? Head on over here.